They can be found in the quiet alleyways and hidden lanes that form the backbone of the seven emirates. The historic homes of the UAE are being recognised and restored for the gems they are, ones that tell a story about how far the country has come in a dizzyingly short space of time. Among them, as The National reported, is Bait Al Naboodah in Sharjah, originally built in 1845 and once again open to the public after a painstaking two-year renovation. The former home of a wealthy pearl merchant, visitors can wander through its wood and palm trunk interiors, admire its innovative cooling system and inspect the tools and coins used in the ancient pearling trade, which was replaced as the UAE's mainstay income by oil.
While the importance and historical value of such structures is increasingly being recognised, it has not always been that way. As the UAE's cities have striven to compete on a global platform – whether that means building dazzling world-class institutions or constructing the biggest and best – its history was left as just that. Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood in Dubai, with its century-old windtowers, was once earmarked for demolition and only just escaped the bulldozers' curse. An older generation – those who still remember drawing water from wells and can recall a time of hardship, eking out a living in a harsh climate before the discovery of oil – will not always be here to tell their stories firsthand. As the UAE charts its way towards a futuristic new era, one where artificial intelligence and technology dominates and a younger generation will be pioneers of a different kind, it behoves us to remember how far a course has been steered in a short time. We will soon only have relics like these to remember those who sowed the seeds of the UAE's story. We should all preserve and experience them for ourselves.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
2019 ASIA CUP POTS
Pot 1
UAE, Iran, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3
Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4
North Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan
